BALKANS ISSUE

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 306, 25 September 1945, Page 7

BALKANS ISSUE

London Conference

Disagreement

RUSSIAN SUSPICION

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) ( Received September 24, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept.. 24. The “Daily Herald’s” diplomatic correspondent says that far the question of the Rumanian, Bulgarian, and Hungarian regimes « *“«• ’ ,ns “ e that in many respects Rumania anc the former enem.es, but al hes. J?*’ f un P der Allied SU perItahan armaments shall e , allowed to maintain whatever .vision, Rumania and Bulgaria shall be aiioweu that it is an unpleasant I but inesoapable fact that from the very beginning 1a reasonable sian delegation has appeared less an advantages for the solution of difficult problems than to secu e , R U scountries which it is trying to form into an eastern bloc under Kus “WL evidently regarded the whole council of Allies but as a iXTntag” for members of the his job was to score pomU- “ f h whole p „blem is the Russian bloc. The crux and . rmination to divide Europe Soviet Governments quite d wi H be under Russian leaderinto two zones, or which the eastern wi the delegates of Russia .Sd those of the Po - aster The five Foreign Ministers resumed their meetings a

House this morning. The “Daily Express” diplomatic correspondent says the latest difficulty relates to whether Governments which have no armistice arrangements with the Balkan countries should participate in framing those peace treaties. It is believed that M. Molotov holds that the Chinese and French delegates should be excluded from these discussions.

It is generally counted a good thing that there were no meetings today, says "The Times” diplomatic correspondent, because each delegate will have time to breathe and take stock. The council thus far has been divided in two chiet ways. First, when there are discussions on the Balkans there is the degree ot military strength-which the former Axis satellites should be allowed to keep, the British view is that if armaments are kept restricted there is less danger that Balkan rivalries may become dangerous, involving the large Powers. Little progress has. so far been made on the second main issue, the question whether the Bulgarian, Rumanian and Hungarian regimes can be regarded as democratic. This involves, intangible philosophical and ideological issues which the conference is loth to tackle. The “Daily Mail” in a leading article says it is incorrect to say the London conference has completely broken down. It is still in being, and before the delegates disperse no doubt some face-saving formula will be devised to cover their activities. But the mere fact that so many outstanding important matters have been referred to deputies shows to what extent the council failed to achieve its objects. Russia appears to have an indelible suspicion of the Western Powers and acts accordingly, the only result of which is to arouse counter-suspicion and forfeit the almost illimitable goodwill she enjoyed among the mass of the peoples. Mr. Attlee..on his return from Balmoral, immediately conferred with Mr. Bovin on the difficulties which have aris-

According to another correspondent, the word “deadlock” is being used in quarters close to the Council, an indication of the seriousness of the difficulties which have arisen. But, at the same time, there is no tendency to regard the position as one of complete deadlock, for the weekend has given the delegates plenty of opportunity to look for new methods of approach to the difficulties. The correspondent emphasizes that there is no doubt that every effort will be made in the highest quarters to get the Council going smoothly again as the Ministers start the third week of the discussions on Tuesday.

“PRAVDA” COMMENTS STRONGLY

MOSCOW, September 23.

"Pravda,” in an international review, strongly attacked the “Daily Mail” for suggesting that there is at} analogy between the Russian demands, in- the Mediterranean and a hypothetical British demand for participation in the administration of the Polish Ukraine. Describing the suggestion as “malicious,” “Pravda” says the “Daily Mail’s” frank statement exposes the desire of reactionary circles to isolate the Soviet Union, and ignore its interests. Not a single geographical textbook indicates that the Mediterranean is a British sea or that the Italian colonies are British territory. “Pravda” adds that as the Great Powers collaborated successfully during the war, there is every reason to believe that there are no insurmountable difficulties. ETHIOPIA’S DEMANDS ADDIS ABABA, September 23. Haile Selassie, in an interview with Benters’ correspondent, said that Ethiopia had sent a memorandum to the Council of Foreign Ministers claiming the return of Eritrea and Somaliland. “They had belonged incontestably to Ethiopia since before the Christian era,” he said.

Haile Selassie deplored the exclusion of Ethiopia from the London conference, and said he was permitted only to submit written .statements, whereas the enemy was given full opportunities of represent tat ion and discussion. “We support entirely Mr. Anthony Eden's statement in 1944 that none of the former territories in Africa must be returned to Italy,” he said.